Key events
A few years ago, plenty of people questioned whether Jalen Brunson could be the player to lead the Knicks back to relevance. Now, with New York two wins from their first title since 1973, those doubts look very different.
Former NBA player and Guardian contributor Etan Thomas looks back at the criticism that followed Brunson to New York – and how the Knicks star has answered it with one of the great postseason runs in franchise history.
Preamble
Hello and welcome to Madison Square Garden, where the NBA finals have finally returned after a 27-year wait and the city around it has spent the whole day behaving like history is about to happen.
Hours before tipoff, midtown Manhattan was lousy with fans in blue and orange jerseys, chanting “Let’s go Knicks!” and “Knicks in four!” outside the arena as the city prepared for its first finals game at the Garden since 1999. The Knicks are back home with a 2-0 series lead over the San Antonio Spurs, a 13-game playoff winning streak and a chance to move within one victory of a first championship since 1973.
The anticipation has transformed Game 3 into one of the hottest tickets New York has ever seen. The cheapest upper-deck seats were changing hands for upwards of $12,000 on resale sites over the last few days before coming down to $5,000 today, while premium courtside seats commanded prices that would cover a year’s rent in most US cities.
But basketball is only part of tonight’s story. Donald Trump is expected to attend as a guest of Knicks owner James Dolan, becoming the first sitting US president to attend an NBA finals game. His presence has prompted one of the largest security operations ever seen around Madison Square Garden. An 10-foot perimeter fence surrounded the arena, ticket holders were advised to arrive at least two hours early and the team implemented a strict no-bag policy along with what it described as “TSA-style screening procedures” at arena entrances. Long lines formed throughout the afternoon as thousands attempted to navigate the checkpoints.
Adding another wrinkle, New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani is also expected to attend after purchasing a ticket directly from Madison Square Garden, placing two of the country’s most prominent political figures in the building alongside celebrities, former players and nearly 20,000 fans desperate to witness history.
Now, after 27 years of waiting, the focus finally shifts back to basketball. The Knicks are two wins from a title. The Spurs are fighting to save the series. Tip-off is just over an hour away.
Bryan will be here shortly. In the meantime here’s the Guardian’s Stateside with Kai and Carter episode on an NBA finals even a billionaire can’t ruin.
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